I use percentages to map to letter grades.The percentages mirror the 4.0 scale, except that where a GPA difference of 1.0 corresponds to a full letter grade,I use a percentage difference of 10. The table below shows the conversion from numerical grades to letter grades.
Number → Letter Conversion |
Numerical Grade | Letter Grade |
|---|
≥ 97.5 | A+ |
≥ 92.5 | A |
≥ 90.0 | A- |
≥ 87.5 | B+ |
≥ 82.5 | B |
≥ 80.0 | B- |
≥ 77.5 | C+ |
≥ 72.5 | C |
≥ 70.0 | C- |
≥ 67.5 | D+ |
≥ 62.5 | D |
≥ 60.0 | D- |
< 60.0 | E |
Often I will grade with letter grades on subparts of an assignment, convert to numbers for averaging (or weighted averaging), and then back into letter grades using the above table. For conversion from letter grades to numerical grades, I use the middle of the numerical range above. Thus, an A is a 95, halfway between 90 and 100. An A- is a 91.25, halfway between 90 and 92.5. Etc.Grades between these are averages. For example, an A/A- is numerically (95+91.25)/2=93.125, which is an A slightly lower than 95/A.
A frequent complaint is that you "lose 5 points" for a 95=A. But I treat 100 as more like an A++. So the few students who achieved a perfect score in all 7 quizzes deserve 100.
Here is the letter → number conversion more precisely:
Letter → Number Conversion |
Letter Grade | Numerical Grade |
A+ | 98.75 |
A | 95.00 |
A- | 91.25 |
B+ | 88.75 |
B | 85.00 |
B- | 81.25 |
C+ | 78.75 |
C | 75.00 |
C- | 71.25 |
D+ | 68.75 |
D | 65.00 |
D- | 61.25 |
E | 55.00 |
Why I don't round grades
It is my practice not to round the numerical grade before mapping to letter grades by the table. This can be a sore point, so let me explain. For example, I use ≥90.00 as the transition from a B+ to an A-. This means that if your numerical grade is 89.9, I map it to a B+ and not an A-. It can be heartbreaking to miss a grade boundary by -0.1,—or even by -0.01—I know! This is exacerbated by me mostly grading with A's and B's, with C's and D's rare, so that many grades hover around the 90.00 boundary.
But to round up, say, every numerical grade ≥89.50 to 90.00 and map that to an A-, means that the transition from B+ to A- is actually 89.50, not 90.00. And that would mean that a grade of 89.4 would miss a grade boundary by -0.1. (It would also mean that me announcing the grade boundary of 90.00 is inaccurate.) No matter what policy is followed, some could miss a grade boundary by a hair. Even though there may be some psychological difference between the two situations, I prefer to keep it straightforward by announcing the sharp grade boundary from day one and then following it strictly. I find it helps keeps the process more objective, and does not allow room for subjective grade adjustments, which are almost always unfair.
FAQs
Today, as schools combat post-pandemic learning gaps, it's become even clearer that traditional grades are not precise communicators of learning. In some cases, this leads parents to believe their kids are performing at grade level, when in reality they're falling behind.
What are the disadvantages of a grading system? ›
On the negative side, grades can be used to compare and rank students, leading to feelings of inferiority or superiority. Grades can also create competition among students rather than cooperation. And grades can actually demotivate students, especially those who struggle and wonder why they should keep trying.
Is a 69% a bad grade? ›
Most colleges and universities generally consider a "D" (or a 60% to 69% score) as a passing grade. It's important to note that this minimum or lowest passing grade standard can significantly vary depending on the institution or major. For instance, some universities may require a "C" or better to pass.
Is 70% good for a grade? ›
Numerical and letter grades
However, there are some schools that consider a C the lowest passing grade, so the general standard is that anything below a 60% or 70% is failing, depending on the grading scale. In college and universities, a D is considered to be an unsatisfactory passing grade.
Is an 85% a good grade? ›
A - is the highest grade you can receive on an assignment, and it's between 90% and 100% B - is still a pretty good grade! This is an above-average score, between 80% and 89% C - this is a grade that rests right in the middle.
Is 75% a good grade? ›
The threshold for a good mark depends on the school and the study grade, but on most occasions, 75 or higher is considered a good one.
What is the flaw of grading system? ›
It often doesn't have much to do with learning. Grades function as a kind of crutch in K-12 and higher education. Rather than instilling an intrinsic love of learning in students, our system for the most part motivates them extrinsically — with grades.
What is the common problem with grading? ›
Grades may not always accurately measure learning, they can have adverse effects on student motivation, and they are not a good form of feedback.
Why is pass or fail grading system bad? ›
Some argue that the absence of letter grades may diminish students' motivation to excel in their studies, as there is less incentive to strive for top grades. Pass/fail grading may make it harder for students to identify specific areas of weakness or improvement in their academic performance.
Are B's good in college? ›
B's are generally considered 'good' by most standards. Colleges understand that the academic environment is rigorous and getting straight A's isn't always feasible. However, the impact on your GPA and future opportunities can vary depending on your goals.
You can graduate with Ds, but you cannot go to college with Ds. Colleges will give you ZERO credit for the class, just like you got an F. This is true no matter what the class is, even if it is not a required class.
Is a D passing in college? ›
Many schools have rolling admissions, which means you can start a program in a few weeks! A passing grade grants credit for a college-level course. A D is the lowest passing grade at most colleges. Students with a D may need to retake in-major courses or prerequisite classes.
Why do grades skip E? ›
The letter E was originally part of the grading and was the equivalent of an 'F'. Anything below 75%, was an E and was considered a failing the course. However, in the 1930s, schools became increasingly concerned about the fact that students and parents might think 'E' stood for excellence rather than failure.
Is 70 100 a passing grade? ›
The normal grading range is from 55 to 100. The number grades correspond to letter grades as reflected in the chart below. The minimum passing grade is 70 (C). Any grades between 55 and 69 (D and F) are considered failing grades for which unit credit is not earned.
Is 80 a passing grade? ›
Grades below a “C” (80%) are considered a failing grade. Grades of less than a “C” (80%) will be assigned in order to assist in Financial Aid processes, but still considered as failing in the program.
Are grades an accurate representation? ›
Grades can not measure a student's capabilities. Getting an A+ grade on the report card does not represent that the student has learned that subject and has a sharp brain. Famous personalities like Galileo and Einstein never earned good grades, but were geniuses without question and were even ahead of their time.
Is 80% a good grade? ›
While an 80 is generally considered a good grade, it's important to understand how your specific grading scale and high school context may affect your college application. Typically, an 80 is a B- on a standard letter grade scale, but different schools can have different grading scales.
Can a teacher lower your grade for behavior? ›
While they primarily use tests, quizzes, projects, and homework to assign grades, teachers at all grade levels also include nonacademic evidence, like behavior and effort, in their grading equations.
Is a 65 grade good? ›
Many college grading systems consider a D, or 65 percent, to be the lowest passing grade. Note that different schools, programs, or classes may have different cutoff points for what they consider a passing grade.
